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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
Ne dokonalá, ale pořád dost dobrá detektivka z Islandu.
MOJE RECENZE NA BLOGU: http://lucysfinearts.blogspot.cz/2014/12/posledni-ritual-yrsa-sigurardottir-rc.html
MOJE RECENZE NA BLOGU: http://lucysfinearts.blogspot.cz/2014/12/posledni-ritual-yrsa-sigurardottir-rc.html
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir is one of the best known Icelandic crime novelists. Last Rituals (translated by Bernard Scudder) was her first adult novel and the first in her series about the lawyer Thóra Gudmundsdóttir (Þóra Guðmundsdóttir). This novel starts with the discovery of a dead man. A German history student, who was deeply interested in the topic of witch hunts, is found dead (and mutilated) at Reykjavik University. Three months later, the police have arrested a suspect, but the victim's (very wealthy) family is not convinced and hire Thóra to dig deeper together with a German specialist. The mystery at the heart of the novel is dark, twisted and griping. I enjoyed the shifting perspectives. Thus I kept turning the pages, though some things irritated (some of the background stories in Germany makes barely sense; the kind-of romance, which I think is furthered in the following books, was unnecessary) and annoyed me (quite a bit of fat-hatred). The protagonist, Thóra, remained a bit flat, though her family life (she is divorced, caring for her teenage son and younger daughter) gave her some nuance. While reading the first two thirds of the novel I thought this might be my first and last Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (enjoyable, but some big, big negatives), but flying through the last third I felt so well entertained and I started to want to know how Thóra and her children go on - I might, at some point, pick up the next book in the series.
One of the best mystery books I have read in a while. And I love how the story is in Iceland because I rarely get to read books from there. Thóra's family life was interesting and I'd like to know what happens next in her life and does Matthew stay in Iceland or go back to Germany. The mystery was also interesting and full of neat history stuff. I had no idea who the killer was and the more I got to know the more I felt sorry for everyone.
I enjoyed the history of Iceland in this book. The story intermingled well with the historical information. Like most Icelandic authors I have read, the story is engaging with interesting characters. The translation was a little clunky in some areas but it did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Mini Review to catch up on all my unreviewed reads from 2014. Always happy to chat more the book below if any one wants more info.
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A boy is discovered murdered in a uni in Reykjavik with strange symbols carved into him, that tie back into Iceland's witchcraft past. Don't mind if I do. I mean, I really don't think you need to add anything else to that description to make it pure Rusalka crack.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the protagonist Thora, although I think she is a little naive about her teenage son. I found her interesting and likeable. The murder and mystery was enjoyable and not too obvious or unbelievable. I loved the mythology and witchcraft history. I read the majority of this book in an afternoon. I also finally worked out how Icelandic last names work.
I've read a lot of reviews saying this book was boring and dense. I wonder if we read the same book. I found it neither of these. I am really keen to read more in the series.
For more reviews visit http://rusalkii.blogspot.com.au/
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A boy is discovered murdered in a uni in Reykjavik with strange symbols carved into him, that tie back into Iceland's witchcraft past. Don't mind if I do. I mean, I really don't think you need to add anything else to that description to make it pure Rusalka crack.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the protagonist Thora, although I think she is a little naive about her teenage son. I found her interesting and likeable. The murder and mystery was enjoyable and not too obvious or unbelievable. I loved the mythology and witchcraft history. I read the majority of this book in an afternoon. I also finally worked out how Icelandic last names work.
I've read a lot of reviews saying this book was boring and dense. I wonder if we read the same book. I found it neither of these. I am really keen to read more in the series.
For more reviews visit http://rusalkii.blogspot.com.au/
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thanks to Jane for forcening this book on me. It was a fun mystery, easy to read.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No